The first time, Dave Whelan did not even have to persuade him. When Aston
Villa came calling for Roberto Martínez, the Wigan Athletic manager, in the
summer of 2011, the Spaniard turned them down flat.

For three days, newspapers and television channels hummed with breathless
reports of meetings and talks and compensation payments, but it was all
bunk. Martínez and Whelan had spoken as soon as Villa’s interest became
apparent. Martínez assured his owner he was not leaving. He owed him a debt
of gratitude, he said. He had a contract for another year, and he intended
to honour it.